ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 218, 9 June 1919, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE KING'S THEATRE. The promise of an unusually interesting bill for the weekly change was responsible for excellent business at the lung's Theatre on Saturday. Frank ICeenau, in "More Trouble," is the leading attraction, and tho picture proved to be as entertaining as its theme was novel. The story .tells of two wealthy fathers (who aro what the Americans term "captains of industry" and business rivals) and their two sons, who are attending the same college. One is of a studious nature, who neither drinks nor smokes, and, in addition, does not indulge in any of those "pranks" commonly ascribsd to youths attending college; whilo the other docs all of these tilings—in short, he is something of a mild spendthrift. It is not surprising, therefore, that when the "model son graduates and Tcturns home and his father soon after is, deluged with bills for wine, cigars, taxt hire, and other things there are some anxious moments and some awkward questions. Hut when tjio father is called on to honour a bill for 23,000 dollars the storm really breaks. This almost brings about tho ruin of the father, and it is only after the real spendthrift "owns up" ihat | peace is finally restored and the two erstwhile business rivals becomo partners. "More Trouble" is a decidedly original story; there is not a, dull mo'mont, and Frank Keenan is seen at his best. Some of tho supporting pictures arc worthy of notice. The GaJietto this week is unusually interesting, for in addition to the usual budget of interesting happenings thero is depicted the method of rising "depth" bombs—a moans of 'destroying German submarines that proved highly successful. Another interesting film illustrates the arrival in Auckland of the aori Battalion from active- service iu Prance. These scenes fire wonderfully clear and reflect credit on those responsible for their production. "Tho Bull Thrower," another subject that met with ; approval, depicts a Wester* 'lair," and introduces some marvels of horsemanship. "Woolwich Arsenal" (part II) and "Hula Hula Land" vcomedy) round off a picture entertainment every item of which is "worth while." Mr. .W. Goudie won praise for his singing of "Nita Gitana," 'The Company Sergeant-Major," and "The End. of a Perfect Day," and the King's Orchestra played as delightfully ns usual. ■ EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "A Fair Pretender," showing at Everybody's this week, is a delightful comedy ur masquerade, with Tom Moore anil Madge Kennedy in the leading parts. The story is decidedly clover, and it is excellently presented.; Tom Moore is a young dramatist who is still a stranger to the sensation of seeing his works produced. Madge Kennedy is a girl who hopes one day to be a star, but is in the .meantime u typist. The man has a firm belief that with the magic of a little bluff one can pass in any society for ;being what one is not;, so when, a wealthy friend gives' liim the means of testing his lonvietion, lip straightway soars to higher regions, disguised as a successful' writer. The little typist, as it happens, finds in an unpublished and anonymous manuscript the young man's gospel of bluff. It appeals to her, and it is not long before nho adorns society circles 'by entering as the widow of Captain John Brown, a soldier whose name she has selected from u telephone directory. Tho Test of the story is the love romance of tho bluffing typist and tho bluffing author—a romance utmost shattered'by. the unlimelv return from Valhalla of. the "late" 'Captain Brown. Throughout, the .play sparkles with a genuine humour that the spectator cannot fail to enjoy. A dash of the sensational is given to tho plot by the portrayal of some German espionage that the hero and the heroine have a' hand in exposing. The supporting programme includes "The House of Hate," with its assorted thrills for lovers, of excitement

EMPRESS THE.VrEE. "The Grouch," screened on Saturday at tho Empress Theatre, is undoubtedly one of-the most darini? and one- of the most fascinating dramas turned;out by the World" Film Company. Montague Love and Dorothy Green give a finished representation of two very difficult, characters. Montague Lovu, as Donald Grahanij an ex-convict, tarns tho title of "The Grouch" became of his intense hatred of the society that permitted him to be wrongly accused and made a convict. Liberated, he finds his ivay anions? tho social outcasts, where he meets Flenvetto (Dorothy Green) an untamed, uncivilised girl of the wild race of swampdwells, lawless and primitive, the descendants of pirates. Tho picture abounds in excitin? incidents, and the ancient dance ■of the pirates with the subsequent burning of the building ore thrilling scenes. The photography of this picture is exceptionally good, and the scenes were taken'in the Ohfenoko swamp, and comprise a wonderful representation of natural beauty Tho supporting film is a rollicking Kevstbne comedy, "Tho Tell-Tale Shirt." Mr. C. Melvin odds to the attractions of the evening sessions by singing the latest American success "The Roso of No Man's Land."